Last year, I reviewed two of GSI Outdoor’s Pinnacle cookset systems: the dualist and the soloist. We use these all the time for minimalist backpacking, either solo or with a few family members. However, when the whole crew is backpacking,…
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Imagine a towel that is lightweight, perfect for travel or your outdoor activities or even drying off after a workout at the gym, and even made from recyclable materials and fabrics. The good news is, one already exists! The Innate…
Sometimes you need hiking shoes on your vacation, but not any old hiking shoes. Let’s say you’re planning to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors, but you’re not going to be hardcore hiking, so you don’t need boots. And…
If you haven’t heard of them, Chill Angel is a brand of Merino wool nightclothes that are my go-to for travel and the outdoors. Why? The 100 percent wool wicks away sweat for a more comfortable night’s sleep in varied…
Edifier is a known-name in speakers, and their MP100 Portable Speaker is a budget-friendly option for anyone wanting music on the go. It comes in three fun colors, has an attached key ring-style hook to attach it to just about…
The value of a quality, all-purpose travel-ready backpack cannot be underestimated. United by Blue’s 30L Base Backpack delivers, with just the right amount of bells and whistles without going overboard. After all, there is such a thing as too complicated. At…
If you’ve been outdoors lately, traveling or on the trail, you’ve undoubtedly seen at least one Cotopaxi Luzon day pack on the back of a fellow traveler. A new bag for Cotopaxi, an outdoor adventure company with a grassroots vibe,…
I’m always interested in new options in off-grid communication, so GoTenna immediately caught my eye. This two-way cell phone antenna device allows two cell phone users to text and share location with each other (or other GoTenna users in the…
I travel with my Apple Watch, because I find it useful for getting prompt alerts from airlines on travel days and for using the haptic touch feature to get directions while I’m at my destination. That way, I’m never digging…
I’ve long been a fan of Sunski sunglasses, and now, they’re making some of their hottest styles out of recycled frames. Yay! And all Sunskis feature polarized lenses, so I know that my eyes are getting serious protection even while…
The Gregory Proxy 45 is the perfect weekender bag for adventurers! Small enough to be worn comfortably as a backpack while fully loaded, yet roomy enough to stash enough gear and clothing for a long weekend, the Proxy 45 has…
Wool isn’t only for winter. Known for keeping humans warm during cold-weather activities like skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, climbing, and merely existing outdoors, wool also has other properties that make for great travel clothing. Two pieces that I’ve been using in…
Stohlquist is a name we can all trust when it comes to picking a personal floatation device (PFD) or life jacket, and I appreciate that this lightweight nylon one is sleek, with a thinner profile than most. In other words,…
Do you dream of leaving the house and heading to the airport in slippers the next time you go on vacation? No, not those flimsy white hotel slippers. I’m talking about cozy slippers that can double for cozy shoes when…
You don’t have to be a skier to want quality mittens for winter. Cold digits are one of the main reasons we quit doing things outdoors and head inside for a warm fire, cozy blanket and après-anything cocktails. But just…
I’ve been a huge fan of Chill Angel for several years now. This company that specializes in Merino wool pajamas and loungewear has been making women feel more comfortable in their own skin since launching their first sleep shirt, and…
I travel with at least three devices I want to keep powered up so they can work seamlessly together: my Macbook, my Apple watch, and my phone. You probably have the same, or a combination of the same number. When…
This soft, pillowy jacket is the perfect accessory for business travelers looking for something that will give them warmth without carrying a larger wool jacket.
Chill Angel is a woman-owned company I just can’t stop raving about. Every item I’ve reviewed has been deliciously luxurious, warm, comfortable, practical and pretty. This Merino wool sleep and loungewear is designed by women for women to help us…
When I travel, I can’t give up my exercise routine, but I also won’t compromise on luggage space. The solution: running and exercise clothing that can double for days on the town or walking through museums. Here are some favorite…
We all know and love Buff for their colorful and practical headbands and face masks, but their new Polar Thermal adds a new degree of style and functionality. Essentially, the thermal is a three-in-one: you get a thermal, heavy-weight fleece hood,…
I wasn’t familiar with Six Moon Designs until testing out their ePouch, designed specifically for travel days. They are known for their line of affordable, practical backpacking packs and tents, which have a utilitarian, streamlined look to them. It can…
If you’re a woman who enjoys adding a flair of fashion to your activewear options, you may already know about Nuu Muu. We featured Nuu Muu’s dresses for women just a few months ago. But now girls are included in…
I’ve long been a fan of gravity-based filtration systems. Their simplicity makes them reliable, and they’re lightweight, easily packable, and versatile. The Katadyn Gravity BeFree 3.0 L filter fits this bill perfectly. It’s extremely easy to use: you just fill…
GoCustomized.com offers customized cases and covers for your phone or tablet, including the iPhone X and latest Android models. While certainly not alone in the customization space, I tried out GoCustomized and really liked how I could customize my iPhone…
I really like traveling with leggings and tights. They’re easily packable, comfortable, and can usually be versatile in my wardrobe. But honestly, some tights are just not quite…enough for travel days. They lack pockets, sometimes lack modesty, and can be…
It’s summer lake, beach and pool season, plus road trip and festival time. Soon, tailgating will be added to the mix. We’ve been reviewing cooler options, including this offering from Kelty. Kelty Folding Cooler: This camp cooler comes in a…
Spring is officially here in the Northern Hemisphere, and maybe I’m feeling optimistic about the weather here in the Pacific Northwest, but I’ve been testing out some summer travel dresses from Aventura Clothing. Here’s what I love best: Celia dress:…
Have you heard of Charleston Shoe Company? As of a few months ago, I hadn’t, but this American-born shoe company is making great strides (sure, pun intended…why not?) in the travel shoe space. Their affordable, comfort-focused shoes are on-trend and…
Back in 2013, we reviewed a new recovery shoe company called OOFOS. I’ve been a personal fan ever since. This year, OOFOS has some new designs for summer, and while you don’t wear these shoes for fashion (remember Crocs? It’s…
Boulder Denim is not your standard fashion jean, though they’re certainly still fashionable. Instead, this denim company inspired by the rock climbing community in Colorado makes jeans that are stretchy, ready to move with your body during a host of…
I’ve long been a fan of Adventure Medical Kits, which makes specialized first aid kits for a variety of travel styles. Their World Traveler kit came with me to Peru, Costa Rica, and Panama, and their Mountain Series kits have…
Intrepid travelers as adventurers are often faced with the question of whether to wear their wedding ring on their travels. No, it’s not because they want to pretend to be single and hook up with people while they’re away from…
Autumn can be a tricky time of year to pack well for travel. You know you need layers, but you’re loathe to bring too bulky of jackets and outerwear, knowing you’ll be shedding most before the day’s end. In the…
Happy New Year! Yes, it’s still cold and possibly snowy outside, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be thinking ahead to camping season. Or perhaps you have an adventure trip on the horizon, or an occasion to bring a lightweight,…
I’m always on the lookout for new water filtration systems. We’ve tried it all: gravity-based bladders, LifeStraws, squeeze filters, the whole nine yards. Different systems work best for different activities, and while I like the size and shape of my…
The Miir Wide Mouth Double Wall Vacuum Insulated Bottle is the perfect way to keep your drinks at the right temperature.
Are you a fan of minimalist or ‘zero drop sole’ shoes? I personally am not, but my teen son is, and he’s also an avid hiker and trail runner, so I had him try out Xero Shoes’ brand new TerraFlex…
You know how it happens: You’re in a rush, or distracted, walking on a sidewalk with a combination of ice and snow. It looks fine to walk on, but suddenly you hit a slippery patch. If you’re lucky, you save…
I love ECOlunchbox. These guys have been making quality bento boxes and snack containers for years, helping me reduce my carbon footprint as we travel. We’re big believers in skipping as much packaging as possible, which can be challenging enough…
Approximately 90% of the time, my family and I travel carry-on only, with 22″ wheeled luggage. However, for that 10% of the time we check a bag, we want a workhorse of a duffel that’s also easy to pull and…
I have been a fan of Duluth Trading Company’s travel bags since reviewing their oil cloth travel tote. If you’re looking for something more classic, consider the Lifetime Leather Tote. This travel-ready tote is truly gorgeous. The full-grain leather is substantial…